Municipalities and Housing Ministry to develop 667 km of walkways by mid-2026

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has revealed the achievements of municipal authorities in the first half of 2026 regarding the development of public spaces. These efforts include the construction of more than 667 kilometers of walkways and sidewalks, 108 municipal squares covering a total area of nearly 1.28 million square meters, 44 municipal parks spanning over 803,000 square meters, and 3,070 linear meters of waterfronts. The projects are part of ongoing initiatives to enhance cities and governorates across the Kingdom.
The scope of work carried out by each municipality was tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of each city. Riyadh Municipality led with the longest network of walkways and sidewalks, totaling around 517 kilometers, as well as 101 municipal squares. The Medina Municipality recorded the largest area of parks at 417,600 square meters. For waterfront development, the Eastern Province Municipality topped the list with 1,920 linear meters, followed by Tabuk Municipality with 1,150 linear meters.
The ministry stated that these projects are part of its strategy to create cities that are easier to navigate and more livable by expanding pedestrian networks, improving access to parks, squares, and facilities, and increasing the availability of public spaces within neighborhoods. This aims to enhance residents’ daily experiences and directly align municipal services with community needs.
The ministry added that developing walkways, parks, squares, and waterfronts contributes to improving the urban landscape and strengthening city identity. It also supports the presence of public spaces as an integral part of daily life, in line with the ministry’s “From Your Home to Your City” lifestyle initiative.
The ministry affirmed its commitment to continue working with municipalities to further develop public spaces and enhance the efficiency of municipal facilities. These efforts aim to improve mobility, boost neighborhood vitality, expand residents’ access to public spaces and services, and support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to build sustainable and attractive cities.